Hereditary is a 2018 supernatural horror film written and directed by Ari Aster in his feature debut. It explores grief, trauma, and familial curse through psychological and occult horror. The film gained wide critical acclaim for its performances, atmosphere, and unsettling tone, solidifying Aster’s reputation as a leading modern horror filmmaker.
Key facts
- Release date: June 8, 2018 (U.S.)
- Director: Ari Aster
- Starring: Toni Collette, Alex Wolff, Milly Shapiro, Gabriel Byrne, Ann Dowd
- Runtime: 127 minutes
- Production company: A24
Plot and themes
The story follows the Graham family after the death of their secretive matriarch. As daughter Annie and her relatives uncover disturbing truths about their ancestry, they are consumed by an inherited evil tied to occult worship. The film uses grief as a central motif, turning domestic trauma into supernatural horror and questioning whether fate or personal choice drives tragedy.
Production and style
Ari Aster developed Hereditary as a family drama that escalates into horror. Shot primarily in Utah, the film employed miniature sets and meticulous camera work to evoke a dollhouse-like sense of control and confinement. Colin Stetson’s avant-garde score and Pawel Pogorzelski’s cinematography enhance the film’s slow-building dread and visual precision.
Reception and impact
Hereditary premiered at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival to strong reactions. Critics praised Toni Collette’s performance as Annie Graham, calling it one of the most powerful in modern horror. The film grossed over $80 million worldwide on a $10 million budget and has since been hailed as a defining work of elevated horror alongside films like The Witch and Midsommar.
